Record Participation by Civil Society in ADB's Annual Meeting

HYDERABAD, INDIA - More than 150 representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) from 80 organizations in 24 countries have registered to participate in ADB’s 39th Annual Meeting program, starting tomorrow in Hyderabad, India.

In addition to government officials, business persons, academics, and journalists, ADB invites representatives of CSO with an interest in development to participate in the yearly meetings of its Board of Governors.

ADB works closely with CSOs to promote economic growth that is pro-poor, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable. The increasing level of ADB’s engagement of civil society is reflected in the record percentage of approved ADB loans that involved CSOs last year – 74%. Over the past year, CSOs have also contributed to the elaboration of the ADB country strategy and program in various countries, and to the review of key ADB policies, such as water.

Since its last Annual Meeting, in Istanbul, ADB has undertaken several initiatives that have helped to strengthen its growing links with CSOs. These include disclosing more information on ADB operations through the Public Communications Policy, simplifying the procedures for engaging local and national CSOs to work on ADB projects, and developing a staff guide to improve consultation with, and participation by, stakeholders in ADB operations. The guide will be launched on Thursday in Hyderabad.

In India, dozens of CSOs are participating in ADB-financed projects to restore livelihoods in disaster-affected regions, increase community involvement in infrastructure development, clean up polluted sites, and provide education, health services, and microfinance.

In April, ADB approved a regional technical assistance to provide small grants to CSOs to pilot test and demonstrate the relevance and impact of CSO mechanisms and approaches to improving transparency and accountability, and fighting corruption. The technical assistance will be implemented with the Partnership for Transparency Fund, a nongovernment anticorruption organization, in India, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Philippines.

Among the many CSOs expected to join the Annual Meeting this week are Action Aid, Aga Kahn Foundation, Asian Disaster Reduction & Response Network, DKT International, Greenpeace, Institute for Participatory Practices-PRAXIS, Oxfam, Plan International, Population Services International, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and World Vision. In addition, workers organizations will be represented in the form of the Asian Labor Network on the International Financial Institutions, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, and Public Services International.

In recognition of the importance of the CSO contribution to development, ADB senior management will meet with civil society delegates tomorrow to seek their views and recommendations on improving ADB’s efforts to reduce poverty in the Asia and Pacific region.

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